How to Make the AeroStinger Paper Airplane

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Fast, long range and simple, the AeroStinger is a small "drone fighter" paper airplane designed to be both capable and easy to make. The AeroStinger's design is conventional to make it more friendly to new origami aviators.

The AeroStinger was developed from a test aircraft ("XD396-1," pictured on the left) I made for use on another replica project still underway. Toward the end of summer 2015, I noticed most of the new drone fighter paper airplanes were capable but unconventional and complex in design. After the test aircraft had proved itself to have impressive performance, I decided to develop it into a new drone fighter. However, I did decide to implement some changes for sake of standardization to increase the aircraft's commonality with my other designs. The AeroStinger was designed to accommodate the Asteroid's airframe; the design of the wings and horizontal stabilizers was left unchanged from the test aircraft but remained very comparable to that of the StratoStinger. The conventional design fulfilled my predictions of good performance when tested and the simple but effective design was approved for publication soon after.

TAA USAF Designation: D396-1

Step 1: Materials

Required: 1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper

Scissors

Ruler

Tape

Pencil

Stapler

Step 2: Begin Construction

Fold your paper in half so that half a box is at the crease line. Make a mark, then measure 6 boxes back and make another mark. From this second mark, measure half a box up, three boxes behind. From this third mark, measure and mark 3 boxes upwards over 1 box backwards. One box in front of and below the last mark; then make a line stretching two boxes forward from this fifth mark. Beyond this, the pictures explain the other marks needed with less confusion. Once all is marked out, cut out the fuselage.

After the fuselage is made, take another sheet of paper that is folded in half along the lines of boxes. Mark out the wing as shown (a leading edge sweep of 1 box of chord eliminated for every 1 box of span and a straight trailing edge). Measure 3.5 boxes from the fold and make a mark, then draw a perpendicular line forward to the leading edge of the wing. This perpendicular line will become the wingtip and eventually part of the winglet. In addition, measure 2 boxes along the crease and 2 boxes upwards from one side and the 1 box forward. Then draw a diagonal line connecting this line the other edge of the line along the crease. This will make the horizontal stabilizers. Then cut it out.

Solid lines indicate places to cut. Dotted lines indicate fold lines.

Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches

Step 3: Making the Fuselage

Begin constructing your fuselage by folding the counterweights into the fuselage. Once they have been folded, unfold the fuselage and cut off the right vertical stabilizer. Once this is done, restore the fold. After doing this, fold the fuselage along the vertical dotted line two boxes aft of the counterweight folds. After making the cut and restoring the fuselage from its folded state, fold the vertical stabilizer forward along the dotted line that indicates the center of what will be the slot for the horizontal stabilizers, then cut. Tape where designated.

Step 4: Applying the Wings and Horizontal Stabilizers; Stapling

Slide the the wings through the slit in the fuselage made previously as shown and fold the two halves up on each side. Apply a small piece of tape to the underside of each wing while they are folded. Once done, fold the winglets down and cut along the diagonal line beneath the vertical stabilizer. Cut along the solid vertical line to make the ventral fins. After the ventral fins have been adjusted to cant outward at about 45 degrees, begin work on the horizontal stabilizers. Similar to the main wings, cut out your horizontal stabilizers and string them through the slit made earlier. When they are positioned correctly, apply tape. Apply one staple in the area of the counterweight folds. This will complete the aircraft.

Step 5: Flight

Because of its very conventional shape and design, the AeroStinger flies similar to other dart drone fighter paper airplanes. Launches should be at moderate to high speed at (slightly) neutral or positive attitudes. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, flaperons, elevators, ailerons, spoilers, spoilerons, air brakes and a trimmable rudder. Enjoy!